Is Siargao worth visiting? Is Siargao Overrated? Should I visit Siargao? We answer the hard questions for you so you can decide whether to visit this popular island destination in the Philippines.

The tear-drop shaped island of Siargao in the province of Surigao del Norte is undoubtedly one of the most talked about destinations in the Philippines. In just a matter of years, this once little-known utopia has transformed into a paradise that travellers from all around the world now visit.

To add to the hype and excitement surrounding Siargao, Condé Nast Traveler announced in 2019 that their readers voted Siargao as the best island in the world, topping favourites such as Bali, Hawaii, Palawan, Boracay and Bora Bora.

Seeing all the developments on Siargao tourism would have you thinking that Siargao today is at risk of being overcrowded, overdeveloped and overrated. We visited in February this year to answer a question that we see being asked around the internet a lot – is Siargao still worth visiting?

Where to stay in Siargao

Siargao is still an upcoming tourist destination, but there’s still plenty of amazing accommodation options for you - no matter the budget. The good news is that staying in Siargao is incredibly affordable, and you’ll be sure to get good value-for-money around the island.

Budget: Sinag Hostel

Sinag Hostel is one of Siargao Island’s most well-known hostels. It’s a favourite for its affordable prices, no-frills type room, friendly staff and extremely convenient location.

You can take a closer look at Sinag Hostel by clicking here.

Mid-Range: Amihan Bungalows

Feel like you’re one with nature by staying at Amihan Bungalows, a concept hotel that allows you to stay in these adorable wooden bungalow-style rooms.

You can take a closer look at Amihan Bungalows by clicking here.

Luxury: Siargao Island Villas

Be the object of envy amongst all your friends by staying at Siargao Island Villas. This collection of quaint, romantic villas features poolside rooms, a beachfront location and a well-rated breakfast.

You can take a closer look at Siargao Island Villas by clicking here.

Now let’s answer the question! Firstly, we break down some of the not-so-positive things we’ve heard about Siargao and address them...

...“Siargao is hard to get to”...

This may have been true a decade ago, but certainly not now. In fact, Siargao is actually one of the easiest islands to reach in the Philippines.

Airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Skyjet all schedule regular direct flights to Siargao Airport from various major airports such as Manila, Davao, Clark and Mactan Airport. The flights are generally inexpensive and short, and don’t take any longer than 2 hours and 30 minutes.

While it’s true that you will have to get to one of the bigger cities first, this is hardly anything to complain about considering Siargao’s remoteness.

...“Too crowded and overrun by tourists”...

Not that crowded by tourists – Siargao is a-okay

Admittedly, Siargao’s numbers are skyrocketing with no signs of slowing down. In 2019, Siargao posted a growth rate of 32.85% and welcomed over 110,000 arrivals into the small island.

We’ve heard Siargao can get a little crowded in peak season, and this offers a few inconveniences. This may mean that your tour group is a little larger, or that getting a reservation at Kermit is more difficult, or that you may have to come back the next day for that relaxing massage you were looking forward to.

Even at such a beautiful place, Sohoton Cave wasn’t overrun by tourists

If this doesn’t sound appealing, there’s a simple solution – visit in low season. Low season runs from the months of November to February, while peak season runs from March to October, as these months offer drier weather. Visiting in low season does mean that the chances of getting a rainy day on your Island Hopping tour increases, since it is monsoon season after all

We visited in February and found that the amount of people visiting the island was just right. Not too crowded, but crowded enough that there was a good vibe going around. Out of the 4 days we were there, we had clear weather every day except our last day – so we got extremely lucky.

One thing about Siargao’s crowds though, is that while they are growing, they are still nowhere near the almost unbearable levels in places like El Nido or the Boracay of old.

...“Siargao is overrated”...

We’ve heard quite often that Siargao Island is overrated, and doesn’t possess the stunning natural beauty as say, Palawan island.

I think it’s important to set expectations before coming to Siargao. Don’t expect another Palawan, or Bohol, or Boracay or any other place in the world.

Siargao’s vibe is unique, and its appeal doesn’t only lie in its natural beauty. While Siargao is beautiful, and features wonderful attractions such as the Maasin River and the Magpupungko Pools, there are so many other things to do on the island.

For example - take a surfing lesson, or watch the best surfers in the world take on the waves at Cloud 9. Breathe in the vibe at Tourism Road by dining at one of the amazing Italian restaurants, or try a smoothie bowl at Shaka Café.

We didn’t think Siargao was overrated. Sure, it might not have been as jaw-droppingly stunning as Coron or El Nido, but it was still an extremely beautiful, relaxing place with its own unique flavour that no one other places can duplicate.

...“Nothing to do for non-surfers”...

Although a lot of visitors come for the world-class surfing, Siargao still has plenty to offer for non-surfers.

We have never surfed a day in our lives (I know, pretty shameful considering we’re Australian and live by the beach), but still had so many things to do during our 4 days! We took a day trip out to the magnificent Bucas Grande, went island hopping across Naked Island, Guyam Island and Daku Island, cruised down a Mangrove Forest and got acquainted with the infinite Palm Trees on the island. We didn’t even get to check off Sugba Lagoon, Pacifico Beach or Corregidor Island on our list of things to do (sad face).

...“There are other islands in the Philippines you can visit”...

We hear this quite a lot - especially people comparing Siargao to the popular islands of Boracay and Palawan. We’ve touched upon it before, but we’ll reiterate it again. Siargao has its own distinct charm that is different from any of the other Philippine islands. Don’t get us wrong – they’re great too! But Siargao is just as amazing.

…“Dirty and rural”...

It’s true that Siargao is quite a rural island. Even just venturing out to General Luna, you will really get a feel for the simple lives that the locals lead.

Apart from the establishments on Tourism Road, there’s not much proper housing and infrastructure in general. Also, most of the island is still covered by palm trees or other greenery, and the island is filled with stray dogs walking around.

The majority of Siargao is still ‘wild’ in a sense, but, you can either hate this or love this. If you’ve come to the Philippines, chances are you’ve come to experience some adventures in the sun at a place where things are authentic and affordable. If so, you’ll find that Siargao still perfectly fits that billing. Of course, Siargao is no Bora Bora or the Maldives. The island hasn’t been so developed that it’s become filled with 5-star resorts - but its authenticity is a good thing if that’s the kind of experience you’re looking for.

Secondly, we found out if Siargao is really as good as some people say...

...“the surfing is world class in Siargao”...

Yes, the surfing is world class in Siargao. If you are a surfer and the weather conditions are good, you will be extremely happy with your decision to come to Siargao.

…“top notch natural beauty”...

Tick. The island is extremely beautiful, as all these pictures prove! You won’t be disappointed at the natural beauty on show here. Make sure to see Sohoton Cave, Sugba Lagoon, Maasin River and the Magpupungko Pools.

…“full of friendly people”...

Absolutely! The Philippines is one of the friendliest countries in the world, and you can understand why when you visit Siargao. We experienced nothing but smiles, helpfulness and kindness from locals.

…“The food in Siargao is so good”...

We have to admit we’re not foodies, but we were impressed by the level of culinary expertise here. The cuisine in Siargao possesses an international flair that other Filipino islands didn’t necessarily have – walking through General Luna and Tourism Road, you’ll notice Italian, Indonesian, Thai, Filipino restaurants, as well as bars and breakfast spots. There are also so many cute cafés on Tourism Road – we actually didn’t expect there to be such a café culture on the island.

For the best Italian food, we recommend Kermit Restaurant and Altrove.

For Asian cuisine, Warung Siargao is an Indonesian restaurant with some seriously delicious dishes. The island is also full of great Filipino food spots such as Kitya’s Place, Mama’s Grill, Azuete and Mama Coco.

For something sweeter, head to Lunares, Shaka, Kook Café and Bake by Hideout (for those who follow Miss Universe-related things, Bake by Hideout was actually opened by 2017 Miss Universe Philippines winner Rachel Peters).

PS: Shout out to Boba Partea for supplying me with my daily bubble tea fix during my stay!

…“A great place to party”...

With its young, carefree vibe, Siargao isn’t a bad place to be if you’re looking to let loose.

Bars you should tick off on a night out include RumBar, Bravo Beach Resort, Harana Surf Resort, Hanigad Beach Bar and Loose Keys Moto Culture.

General Luna vs Tourism Road

We get asked a lot if it’s better to stay in General Luna Town or along Tourism Road.

Well, just like the name suggests, Tourism Road is where you’ll find most things that appeals to tourists – nice restaurants, souvenir stores, massage centres, hotels, tour operators, tricycle drivers and more are all dotted along the road. The Cloud 9 Surfing Tower is also at the end of Tourism Road.

You can still find the above things in General Luna Town, but they may be a bit harder to find. Staying in General Luna Town is a little bit cheaper on the whole, and people who stay here usually come back feeling more immersed in the local culture of the island, as the town is very much a local town – alive with local businesses and children wandering around. Staying at the Town will also you bring you a little closer to General Luna Pier, where boat tours begin.

General Luna Town or Tourism Road? The choice is yours in the end.

Final Verdict

While tourist numbers are fast on the rise, Siargao is still very much an island worth visiting. We didn’t find the crowds here unbearable, and in fact, thought they added to the hip vibe of the overall setting.

Surfers should head to Siargao immediately, but there is also plenty to do for non-surfers - the beauty of the island speaks for itself.

Bonus image – blurry picture sums up our experience going into a pitch black cave with bats!

If you’re looking for an island hopping adventure, a relaxing getaway or a cool place to just chill at a café, then Siargao’s the place for you.

How can I see the best of Siargao?

The best way to see Siargao’s sights is by a boat tour. You can find a lot of options around town, or you can pre-book them online to ensure you get a highly rated tour. Not all tours are high quality, and some will sacrifice safety standards for affordability, so it’s best to do your research. I’ve handpicked these tours for you so that you can make the most of your Siargao stay:

Siargao Sohoton Tour (Shared Tour) - this tour visits the Sohoton Cove National Park, which to me was the highlight of Siargao.
Siargao Trio Island Hopping (Shared Tour) - this tour allows you to do the classic ‘3 island tour’ - visiting Naked, Daku and Guyam Islands.
Siargao Sugba Lagoon + Kauhagan Island + Pamomo-an Island - this tour visits the aullra Sugba Lagoon, as well as other hidden gems.

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